Gianforte apologizes during victory speech to reporter he allegedly body-slammed

"Great win in Montana", Trump told reporters in Italy today without being asked, according to pool reports.

President Trump on Friday congratulated body-slamming businessman Greg Gianforte on his special election win in Montana, making no mention of the victor's attack on a reporter earlier this week. "I took an action I can't take back and I am not proud of what happened", he said.

"Tonight, as Greg was giving a separate interview in a private office, The Guardian'sBen Jacobs entered the office without permission, aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg's face, and began asking badgering questions". "However, they should not have to be represented by a man who is now facing an assault charge for body slamming another person".

"These guys kind of bum-rushed my father, they got him to say some stuff", he said.

The altercation didn't stop him from capturing 50 percent of the vote against opponent Rob Quist's 44 percent, according to the most recent tally from Decision Desk HQ, a favorable result that hardly seemed in doubt after nearly two-thirds of the ballots were cast in early voting in the GOP-friendly state.

And in response to the Fox News reporters who detailed Gianforte's alleged assault, Meyers said, "Here's a sentence I never thought I'd say, 'Thank you Fox News for telling us the truth'".

Already, Montana's weird special election and Gianforte's win are being cast as a referendum on events in Washington and a projection of what's to come. "That's the Montana way", said Gianforte.

Saying it was coming from "his heart", Gianforte said that "when you make a mistake, you have to own up to it..."

Greg Gianforteapologized late Thursday for attacking a reporter who had asked about the GOP health care bill.

The chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Rep. Steve Stivers, issued a statement hailing Gianforte's win, as well as his apology.

The White House correspondent for The New York Times came out in support of the British journalist allegedly assaulted by new Montana's new GOP House member - taking to Twitter to promote a fund to help Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs buy a new pair of glasses. "You deserve a congressman who stays out of the limelight and just gets the job done", he told supporters.

Greg Gianforte campaigning with Donald Trump Jr.

"Granted, I'm not condoning the body slam", he said. "I should not have responded in the way that I did, and for that I'm sorry", he said. I should not have treated that reporter that way.